Town News Briefing

PORTLAND -- Residents have given the nod to a pair of land deals -- one that will expand the town's economic and tax bases and the other to create a recreation outlet.

Residents voted this week at two special town meetings to approve the $7,500 sale of a vacant house at 258 Airline Ave., in the town's south end, to resident Gary Colby.

Colby said he plans to convert the 1,000-square-foot dwelling to offices, as well as a property he recently purchased next-door, to expand his commercial courier service. The house's conversion to offices will restore it to the town's tax rolls, officials said.

Also, voters approved the exchange of two pieces of town land adjacent to the transfer station on Sand Hill Road for a 1.25-acre parcel on the Connecticut River owned by the Portland Fish and Game Club.

The town plans to combine the riverfront parcel and another town parcel, both in an area next to the fairgrounds off Route 17A-Main Street known as the Wangunk Meadows, for a public boat launch.

The state has committed to pay 75 percent of the launch's construction cost. Town officials are pursuing state and federal grants to fund the balance and build it possibly in time for the 2005 boating season.

MIDDLETOWN

Meeting Scheduled

By Italian Americans

MIDDLETOWN -- The Italian American Civic Order Auxiliary will hold its first meeting of the season at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the club on Arbutus Street.

New members are welcome. Members are reminded to bring favorite recipes for the auxiliary cookbook.

OLD SAYBROOK

Arrests Follow Incident

At Store, Car Chase

OLD SAYBROOK -- A man accused of stealing three telephones from Staples Thursday afternoon led police on a car chase into neighboring Essex, where he and a female companion were apprehended by state police.

The assistant manger of the Staples on Boston Post Road, Arthur Lubniewski, said the anti-theft system alarm sounded as he spotted a man making off with several telephones shortly before 2 p.m.

Alerted previously by Staples management that someone had been shoplifting from other stores around the state, Lubniewski chased the man outside to get his license plate number.

``He'd covered his plate with a T-shirt,'' said Lubniewski, who noted the man and a driver headed east on Boston Post Road. He called Old Saybrook police, who pursued the car.

State police joined the chase and, at the Valley Railroad station in Essex, stopped a 2000 Chevy Blazer registered to a Bristol resident.

The man and woman in the vehicle were turned over to Old Saybrook police, who charged them and placed them in holding cells in the station, where they remained Thursday evening.

At 7:30 p.m., about five hours after the incident, local police declined to release the names of the people jailed or the charges against them. A dispatcher there said no one on duty would be able to supply details.

ESSEX

Animals To Be Blessed

At Church Service

ESSEX -- There will be a blessing of all animals brought to the front lawn of All Saints' Church, 129 Main St., at 10 a.m. Sunday.

The Rev. Bruce Shipman will preside at the outdoor ceremony, which will include songs and readings appropriate to the occasion.

"All of life is a gift," Shipman said, "and we have all been given the power to protect and promote life or to destroy and diminish life. Faith in God translates into how we treat God's creatures and -- of course -- how we treat one another."

Each animal present will be touched, blessed and sprinkled with pure water. In the interests of "Anglican order," it is asked that pets be leashed or appropriately restrained. Dogs and their caregivers are invited to join the singing, and no one will object if there is less than perfect harmony. Refreshments will follow the service with treats for all, including milk bones and cat snacks.

HARTFORD

Crime In City

Focus of Talk Oct. 12

``Crime in the City: Is Hartford Safe?'' will be the subject of a Key Issues Forum Oct. 12 sponsored by The Courant and the MetroHartford Alliance.

The breakfast forum will take place from 8 to 9:15 a.m. in the Christ Church Cathedral auditorium at 45 Church St. in Hartford.

Panelists will include Hartford Police Chief Patrick J. Harnett; the Rev. Cornell Lewis, a North End anti-drug activist; Heather MacDonald, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of ``Are Cops Racist? How the War Against Police Harms Black Americans,'' and Miami Police Chief John F. Timoney.

Registration begins at 7:15 a.m., with breakfast from 7:15 a.m. to 8 a.m. The cost is $15 per person. For more information or to reserve a spot, call The Courant's corporate affairs department at 860-241-3614.

WATERBURY

Bicyclist Killed

Crossing Route 8

WATERBURY -- A 35-year-old man was struck by a motor vehicle and killed Thursday evening as he rode a bicycle on Route 8, police said.

State police accident reconstruction crews were at the scene late into the night, trying to determine what caused the accident.